Page 68 of It's All About the Duke
Marlena thought for a moment. “How about,He could be a rake if he ignores your tender affections for him and pursues another lady.”
“Oh, that one is perfect,” Lady Vera said with a laugh. “I know that some people are disturbed by scandal sheets but others see value in them. They are entertained by the gossip whether or not any of it is true. Many are, I believe. Some, like me relish it and love seeing our names in the columns.”
Lady Vera’s perspective didn’t exonerate Marlena but it certainly made her feel a little better. Marlena then leaned back in the settee, crossed one leg over the other as casually as Lady Vera had, and started swinging her foot, too.
It was so pleasing to have a lighthearted conversation with a young lady who had no fears to haunt her. No dark lonely nights disturbing her peace. A lady who was happy and settled where she was in life. Marlena had Veronica and Eugenia. She was devoted to them but their lives were not happy or easy. There was seldom peace, humor, or laughter between them. Their lives were in a constant upheaval.
Eugenia was too timid to say much about Mr. Bramwell, even though Marlena knew she pined for him and he longed for her. Veronica was never happy with anything Mr. Portington did. They were her friends but they weren’t happy.
Lady Vera could have been a true friend for Marlena if not for Miss Truth. There was no use in wondering if Lady Vera would ever forgive Marlena should she find out that Marlena was Miss Truth. It didn’t matter. Marlena was beginning to wonder if she could ever forgive herself for writing about such a lovely person—or for being obligated to keep writing about the duke.
Chapter 17
He could be a rake if he feels he is wasting his time in the presence of any lady.
MISSHONORATRUTH’SWORDS OFWISDOMANDWARNINGABOUTRAKES, SCOUNDRELS, ROGUES, ANDLIBERTINES
“I know it’s heavy, Mrs. Doddle.” Marlena rested her hands on her hips and huffed. “But if you managed to help me get the trunk belowstairs you can certainly help me now drag it to the bottom of the steps.”
“It wore me out just to do that much and I’ve yet to get your dinner cooking. I’m not used to lifting anything so heavy.”
“It’s not heavy and you know it. Merely cumbersome and too much to handle on my own. Besides, we didn’t carry it. We dragged it most of the way. It’s only a little farther. Now let’s do it.”
“Why is it you won’t tell me what you have in the trunk?” the housekeeper asked.
“Because you really don’t want to know and I don’t want you to know.”
“It’s heavy enough you could have Mrs. Abernathystuffed in there and that’s why you don’t want to tell me. And you’re trying to get rid of it before anyone finds out.”
Marlena burst into laughter. It felt so good to be amused. “Thank you for that, Mrs. Doddle. I haven’t laughed that hard in a long time. But I must say again, I don’t want you to tell my cousin anything about this trunk no matter what you think might be inside. Now let’s get it down the steps before she returns from her ride in the park.”
They each took hold of a handle on the ends of the trunk and with a heave and a step started down the five steps to the garden. Mrs. Doddle grunted all the way but they managed to get it to the bottom. Tut wandered over to sniff around it.
Marlena breathed in deeply and Mrs. Doddle said, “I think I’m going to have myself a cup of tea and put my feet up for a spell after doing all that lifting.”
“I want you to, but after you go next door and ask Eugenia and Veronica to come over while I get the rest of the things from inside.”
Mrs. Doddle looked from the trunk to Marlena. “What things?”
“You never mind about that. Go now. Tell them I want them to come right away.”
The housekeeper walked away mumbling to herself, and Marlena turned and went back into the house. She raced up the stairs to her room and gathered the things she hadn’t been able to fit into the trunk. She wrapped them in her black cape and then hurried back out to the garden to wait for Eugenia and Veronica.
A few moments later, Mrs. Doddle came walking through the side gate that she’d left open. “They’re on their way. They asked if it was urgent and I told them it was.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Doddle.”
The housekeeper stopped and deliberately eyed Marlena’s cape. “I suppose you aren’t going to tell me what’s in there, either, are you?”
Marlena smiled and shook her head. “Now make yourself a cup of tea. You deserve a rest.”
“Marlena!” Eugenia called as she ran through the gate with Veronica on her heels. “What’s wrong?” She threw her arms around Marlena and hugged her.
“I’m fine,” she said and returned the hug. “I didn’t mean for Mrs. Doddle to frighten you.”
“She said it was urgent,” Veronica said, rushing up to stand beside her sister.
“Yes, but only because I wanted to do this before Justine returns.” Marlena extended the folded cape to Eugenia. “These are for you. And what’s in the trunk, too.”
